Difference between calibration and Adjustment Calibration and adjustment are two similar processes that are often confused and wrongly used interchangeably. See their difference below Calibration Calibration is defined as a set of operations that establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between the values of quantities indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system and the corresponding values realised by standards. Sometimes, however, the word calibration is misused to describe the process of altering the performance of an instrument to ensure that the values it indicates are correct within specified limits (e.g. adjusting an instrument until its reading agrees with that of another instrument). Strictly speaking this is adjustment.
Adjustment Adjustment is defined as the operation of bringing a measuring instrument into a state of performance suitable for its use. This is not calibration. Although the nature and magnitude of the adjustment is often determined by a pre-adjustment calibration, sometimes known as a first calibration. The procedure is : first calibration (to determine the approximate magnitude of the necessary adjustment) adjustment second calibration.
Standard Operating Procedure for Calibration Certificate Preparation According to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, calibration results may be reported in a simplified way when agreed to by the customer. But for weights and measures (legal metrology applications) there is exception for reporting of elements of metrological traceability for reference to the International System of Units (SI), measurement results, and uncertainty
Content of calibration certificates . Regardless of the final form, the calibration certificate must contain the basic information described in this procedure (see also Section 7.8 of ISO/IEC 17025 and the attached template Calibration Certificate Review Checklist). Each calibration certificate, supplied in hard copy or electronic format, shall contain the following information to minimize the possibility of misunderstanding or misuse:
Contents of calibration certificate 1. Title (e.g., “Calibration Certificate”). 2. Name and address of the laboratory where the calibration is performed 3. A unique calibration number 4. Customer name and contact information . 5. Method used and the Standard Operating Procedure 6. Identification and description of the calibration artifact (standard) and the condition of the item and serial numbers are assigned to items
Contents of calibration certificate cont. 7. Date(s ) of: • Calibration item receipt; • Sampling, • Calibration, • Certificate issuance. 8. Environmental conditions during sampling that affect the interpretation of results 9. Calibration results and corresponding units of measurement are clearly organized in a tabular or graphically. 10. A statement of the measurement uncertainty , and corresponding measurement unit, coverage factor, and estimated confidence interval shall accompany the measurement result. 11. Statement of conformity assessment 12. Environmental or other conditions under which the calibrations were made that influence the measurement results. 13. Identity of the person(s ) performing the calibration and authorizing calibration certificate by stating their corresponding name, title, and signature. 14. A statement identifying how the measurements are metrologically traceable (e.g. the laboratory establishes metrological traceability to the International System of Units